From the beginning of the Syrian civil war until the fall of Bashar al -Assad on December 8, 2024, Israel has repeatedly bombed Iranian military sites in Syrian territory, vehicles that transport weapons to Hezbollah, headquarters of the pro -Iranian militias, and the Syrian military sites of the Syrian state.
After the fall of the Bashar al -Assad regime, Israel, in addition to bombing the targets that it set in Syrian territory, as they had previously did, preferred to occupy demilitarized areas and soldiers, according to the “Connecting Convention” signed between Syria and Israel in 1974, and the establishment of military bases in these areas.
The creation of military points in Syrian territory can be considered a new dimension of Israeli military operations against Syria; Under the pretext of “national security”.
In addition, the occupation of Israel is the mountain of Sheikh, and the threat of some Israeli officials, such as Defense Minister Katz, the Syrian government, reveal that Israel has no intention to achieve security in the region, but rather seeks to occupy more lands by exploiting the administrative void in Syria.
The comprehensive Israeli air strikes to completely destroy the Syrian military capabilities, and the military land movements to occupy its lands, in addition to the dialogue it conducted with the Druze community in southern Syria, and the statements made by the Alawite community that lives in the Syrian coast region, are considered steps taken by the Netanyahu government to divide Syria.
On the other hand, we see that Ahmed Al -Shara and his administration are very careful in their military and political steps, and in the statements they make about the actions of Israel, to protect the sovereignty of their country, and avoid entering into a new war with Israel.
On many occasions, Syrian President Ahmed Al -Shara said that Syria will not turn into a region that negatively affects the security of any country, including Israel, and that Hezbollah and Iran are no longer present in Syria, and therefore there is no justification for Israel to launch air strikes on Syria.
Israel’s dream
Israel has developed a plan called “David Corridor” to reshape the eastern Mediterranean. If the David corridor is activated, Israel will reach southern Syria through the Golan Heights, and to the east of the Euphrates through Deir Al -Zour, and thus to the Turkish border. So, it will have a large number of population thanks to the alliances she set up on a wide geographical area. David’s corridor was not a plan that appeared after the fall of the Baath regime. Israel has always developed relations with separatist groups in the region to activate this corridor. But the Israeli David Pass plan is not at all acceptable for both Türkiye and the Syrian administration.
In order to activate the David Corridor, Israel promises to protect the Druze community in southern Syria, and holds contacts with senior Druze figures who welcome Israeli protection, and even host them in Tel Aviv.
The Ahmed Al -Shara administration has taken many steps that show the preservation of the unity of the Syrian lands, and the lack of allowing separatist movements.
Türkiye has clearly announced its position with the statements of President Erdogan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Türkiye has repeatedly made it clear that it considers the formation of a federal structure in eastern Syria as a threat to its national security. In this context, many military operations were carried out in Syrian territory in the past years.
Another point is that Türkiye considers the activation of the David corridor as adjacent to Israel. Türkiye does not want to create a structure in which Israel can move freely on its borders. In fact, this is a mutual position; Just as it does not want Israel or a structure cooperating with Israel on its borders, Israel does not want Turkey in southern Syria.
Therefore, the Syrian administration’s insistence on the policy of preserving the country’s lands and Türkiye’s vision of David’s corridor as a threat to its national interests negatively affects the realization of the dream of Israel.
On the other hand, although Israel promises protection and assistance, only part of the Druze community welcomes Israeli separation and protection.
Druze who live in residential units near the Golan Heights occupied by Israel and the Druze community, which supports Hakam Hijri, dreams of separation. Other leaders of the Druze community announced that the Druze is part of the Syrian society, that the endosperm is a Syrian land, that they do not want Israeli protection, and that they want to establish good relations with Damascus. In this context, many successful meetings were held between the Syrian government and the Druze community.
Israel and the Druze community believe that the Druze state that was established during the French occupation period can be re -established. But developments in Syria and the region negatively affect the establishment of a Druze state. Likewise, the re -establishment of the Alawite state that was established during the French occupation period is impossible. When we look at history, we see that even during the continued French occupation of Syria, the Alawite state and the Druze state did not escape, but rather became part of the Syrian state.
The key to solving problems: legitimacy
After the overthrow of the Baath regime, he was the first to support the Syrian caretaker government, led by Ahmed Al -Shara, namely Türkiye, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visited Damascus on December 22, and met Ahmed Al -Shara. The Emir of Qatar also visited Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Syrian capital, Damascus, in early February. One day after the visit of the Emir of Qatar, Syrian President Ahmed Al -Sharaa made his first visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and a few days later he visited Türkiye.
The recognition of the countries of the region- led by Qatar, and Turkey- the new Syrian administration, the conversations, and the reactivation of their embassies in Damascus, paved the way for Western countries to establish relations with the Syrian administration. Senior officials from many Western countries- including the Foreign Minister of Germany and France- Damascus, visited Ahmed Al-Shara and other officials. Likewise, the new Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al -Shaibani had the opportunity to explain the vision of the new Syrian government for issues such as; Development, security and international relations; In his visits to the countries of the region and the western countries.
Qatar and Turkey’s efforts, in particular, culminated in the acquisition of legitimacy and recognition of the new Syrian government, by meeting with US President Trump with Syrian President Ahmed Al -Shara in Riyadh during his visit to the Gulf, and by lifting the sanctions imposed on Syria.
The key to “recognition and legitimacy”, which was not granted to the Taliban government in Afghanistan, was granted to the new Syrian government for the efforts of Qatar and Turkey. Countries were considered recognition of the Syrian government, the visit of officials, Damascus, and the re-activation of diplomatic missions- that is, in short, the acceptance and approval of the new Syrian government countries as a legal administration- as a “key”. Admission and legitimacy play a major role in solving many problems.
In fact, the recognition of the countries of the region and the Western countries in the new Syrian administration, the lifting of US sanctions, and Trump’s meeting with Ahmed Al -Sharaa, prompted Israel to reconsider its plans for Syria.
It seems that Israel has froze the attacks aimed at destroying the Syrian military capabilities, and activities aimed at dividing Syria through the Druze community.
Although the Syrian administration has not officially confirmed this, the Israeli press claimed that some meetings were held between Israel and Syria with the participation of Türkiye. The Israeli press claimed that the meetings were held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.
The reduction of Israel’s attacks on Syria and its preference is the way of dialogue with the new administration, directly related to the legitimacy acquired by the Ahmed Sharia administration.
Proposals
There are two basic supports of the issue of legitimacy; The first is the legitimacy achieved by the support of the people, and the other is the legitimacy achieved by the support of the international community. The Syrian government has now achieved support from the people and in support of the international community. This is an important achievement and gain for new Syria.
The Syrian people’s support for the new administration is not eternal. Therefore, the support of the people relates to the loyalty of the Syrian administration with the promises it made about the future of Syria. If the government does not fulfill its promises, the people will reduce their support. Therefore, the Syrian administration must follow a firm policy in fulfilling its promises, and avoid making excuses.
The Syrian administration should avoid making a mistake to prefer the support provided by the people, over the support provided by the international community. The administration must always give priority to support the people. Because of the strong support provided to the Syrian administration, Israel will have to abandon its policy to separate the Druze community from Syria.
The Syrian administration can transform this development into an opportunity to implement policies that gain the support of the Druze community and prevent division. Connecting the Druze Palmex forces in the region to the Ministry of Defense, and allowing the Druze Palmeter Forces of the Ministry of Defense to play a specific role in preserving the security of the Suwayda region, can contribute to stability in the region.
Israel may request the update of the 1974 engagement agreement. This agreement can be updated, of course, as needed. But it is important that the Syrian administration does not agree to any article in updating the agreement that gives legitimacy to the presence of Israel in the Syrian territories. It is noticeable that Israel will ask to update the agreement in the coming period.
The Syrian army is reconfigured by the joining of the opposition Syrian armed groups to the Syrian army in coordination with the Ministry of Defense.
Last week, the Syrian Ministry of Defense announced decisive decisions regarding the establishment of a professional army. Decisions include many materials, such as: training affiliates to the army in military colleges. The Syrian army abandoned its appearance as an armed paramedical formation is very important to achieve Syria’s security and unity. The Syrian army, which still gives a picture of a paramilitary organization, must be transformed into a professional army quickly. Perhaps the fastest steps in Syria should be taken regarding the creation of a professional army.
Israel has established relations with some Sunni villages in Daraa and Quneitra during the Syrian civil war. The Syrian administration is combining the opposition armed structures in the area in the Syrian army by annexing them to the 40th Division that will operate in the border area.
On the other hand, Israeli soldiers continue their military patrols in the region and maintain their relations with the local elements they have established since 2011. These Israeli activities are likely to conflict with the efforts of the Syrian administration to secure the borders. Therefore, the Syrian administration must work to provide the capabilities of the UNDOF to monitor the UNDOF to the region, and to carry out its duty arising from the agreement, as a necessity for the 1974 clash resolution agreement.
Israel and the United States will present an intelligence cooperation on Palestinian groups in Syrian territory. In the context of the importance of achieving security in the process of normalizing Syria, the removal of Palestinian groups from Syria must be considered sufficient. The emergence of a picture of cooperation with Israel or the United States against Palestinian groups will increase the criticism directed at the Syrian administration and reduce popular support.
Amos Hockestin’s plan may be presented, which is: “The transfer of Israeli gas to Syria through the Arab gas pipeline that is going through Jordan”, again on the agenda by Israel and the United States. This is the suggestion of Amos Hockestin, this is part of the war corridors war and commercial corridors.
It is known that the Turkish natural gas pipeline was to pass through Syrian territory. The transfer of Azerbaijani natural gas through Türkiye to Syria is also one of the topics on the agenda. Therefore, it is important for the Syrian administration to take cautious steps in strategic issues, such as: energy, and to make consultations with its regional allies.
Israel and the United States may put pressure on the Syrian administration; To announce that the Shebaa Farms occupied by Israel were under Syrian sovereignty before 1967.
In this way, Israel aims to strengthen its thesis as it has not occupied the lands of Lebanon. The Syrian administration should not take steps to create long -term problems with the countries and peoples of the region, and it should not respond positively to the requests in this direction.
The opinions in the article do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Al -Jazeera.